tweetylori
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A Totally Different Kind Of Report
- Thread starter tweetylori
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tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
So many great places to go on the Dining Plan! Not sure if this should be at the top of one's list.
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
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So now it was lunchtime. Having only had fruit for breakfast, I was starving. Off to the room I went to tell my husband about the incredible morning, and to see what he wanted to do for lunch. We quickly decided that we would go over to the Boardwalk, since we had never been there before. I called to inquire how to get there using Disney transportation, and was told we could take the bus to Hollywood Studios, then take the boat over. That sounded really cool. 
Fortunately the bus stop was pretty close to our Building 5 Casita, so we went to wait for the bus. As we were waiting, our stomachs growling, it occurred to us that this could take awhile and we were starving. 
Hey, why don't we drive, since we have a car right here? DUH! So, we drove the short distance to the Boardwalk, showed our room key, parked, and went in search of Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Having examined menus thanks to AllEars before our trip, we knew this was a place that sounded good and reasonably priced by Disney standards.
We walked up and said, "Ha ha, we have no reservations, I don't suppose you have room for two people?" Sure! Inside or out? Inside, please. (we're inside-type people, sorry...I know that's a rare commodity).
Let me just say that the service here was excellent from beginning to end. I can't remember our server's name, and can't find the receipt for it, but she showed up quickly with a smile. We asked about the brews. (when in Rome...) I'm not a beer-drinker, but when I do drink one, I want one with some big flavor...not some watery wimpy stuff. I'm talking Stouts, Scotch Ales...the kind of beer you chew.
She explained that none of them fell into that category, but pointed out the closest possibility and offered a sample to see if we liked it. I think it was a red ale. She brought us each a taste and it was good enough for each of us to order it. Plus, starving, we sent her off with an order of:
Jalapeno Spinach Cheese Dip* - spinach and onions blended with melted Jalapeno Jack cheese and served hot with tortilla chips $8.99
Our beer came nice and quickly, and went down quickly as well.
I was smart enough to order water also.
We were both so hungry that everything sounded good. I finally settled on:
Blackened Mahi Mahi Caesar - served atop romaine lettuce with creamy Caesar dressing $12.99
My husband went with something that is not on the AllEars menu that is currently posted. This is the closest thing to it:
Flame-Grilled Meatloaf - made with ground beef and Italian pork sausage, topped with rich, brown gravy, served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day $14.99
Although, what he actually ordered was an open-faced flame-grilled meatloaf sandwich that had peppers & onions and was served with garlic mashed potatoes. I believe it was about $12.
The waitress said "good choice" when he ordered it. I didn't get a "good choice".
Anyway, we ordered and the spinach dip arrived pretty quickly, which was a good thing, because we had started on the beer with empty stomachs. My first reaction to the dip was it was fairly flavorless. Certainly devoid of anything resembling jalapeno. Not a jalapeno in site, nor the flavoring of such. The cheese flavor was subtle. Too much flour, and not enough cheese. Something else was bothering me about it. What is this lump? A jalapeno, my husband suggested? Uh, no...it's a mushroom slice!
Yuck! I consider myself an adventuresome eater, but I confess that no matter how hard I want to like mushrooms, I don't like them!
Please don't put them in my dip without warning me first, because I would never have ordered it! I do think it might've been a mutant mushroom mistake though, as no other ones were spotted. Anyway, beware if you order it.. for many reasons really. It's just not that good, period. However, we were grateful that it kept us from total starvation.
Soon, our meals arrived. My Blackened Mahi Mahi salad was good. Nothing thrilling. Decent. Okay. I took a bite of my husband's meatloaf and it was delicious! What a marvelous (and surprising) grilled flavor! (I know, "grilled" was in the name, but it was still a pleasant surprise). I snuck a bite of his potatoes also and they were very rich and buttery. So if you're looking for a heavy and rich meal, this was certainly one. Mine was lighter. The fish was good, the lettuce was cool and crispy and the dressing was good and creamy.
We were too full for dessert, which was a good thing, cause it meant we had room for dessert a little later as we were wandering, which led us to a new favorite!
Anyway, I reiterate that service here was truly excellent. However, the food was just good. I would eat there again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
Full, we walked around the Boardwalk. We peaked in Flying Fish, which made me want to come back and try it sometime, especially after the reviews and pictures here. However, we had enough of the Boardwalk. We still had some time to kill before my evening session, so I suggested we go back to Coronado Springs, park our car and take Disney transportation to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've been wanting to see the Lodge for years.
So, that's what we did. All I can say is, now I can see what all the raves are about. This place is beautiful! And what's not to love about a hotel that comes with its' own zoo!
Boma & Jiko both looked beautiful! I can't wait to one day try both of them. However, it was about 4:00 by now, and they weren't open. So we went to Mara, where I remembered to ask about...(drumroll please)...zebra domes! I told my husband, I've read that they're fabulous, and I've read that they're just okay. I've even read that some people didn't like them. I just knew I needed to try them for myself, so we grabbed a container of them. You get five of them for just $3.69! 
We shared a Diet Coke for $2.39. With tax, our snack was just $6.47. Please put me in the LOVE THEM category of people. 
Now add my husband. They are so light and delicious...soft and creamy. YUM. I ate two and graciously let my husband have the extra one. We liked the tv in Mara with the old cartoons. One day, after we win the lottery, we will one day stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. (which reminds me, tonight's Powerball is 126 million). Perhaps we'll be back soon!
Fortunately the bus stop was pretty close to our Building 5 Casita, so we went to wait for the bus. As we were waiting, our stomachs growling, it occurred to us that this could take awhile and we were starving. Hey, why don't we drive, since we have a car right here? DUH! So, we drove the short distance to the Boardwalk, showed our room key, parked, and went in search of Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Having examined menus thanks to AllEars before our trip, we knew this was a place that sounded good and reasonably priced by Disney standards.We walked up and said, "Ha ha, we have no reservations, I don't suppose you have room for two people?" Sure! Inside or out? Inside, please. (we're inside-type people, sorry...I know that's a rare commodity).
Let me just say that the service here was excellent from beginning to end. I can't remember our server's name, and can't find the receipt for it, but she showed up quickly with a smile. We asked about the brews. (when in Rome...) I'm not a beer-drinker, but when I do drink one, I want one with some big flavor...not some watery wimpy stuff. I'm talking Stouts, Scotch Ales...the kind of beer you chew.
She explained that none of them fell into that category, but pointed out the closest possibility and offered a sample to see if we liked it. I think it was a red ale. She brought us each a taste and it was good enough for each of us to order it. Plus, starving, we sent her off with an order of: Jalapeno Spinach Cheese Dip* - spinach and onions blended with melted Jalapeno Jack cheese and served hot with tortilla chips $8.99
Our beer came nice and quickly, and went down quickly as well.
I was smart enough to order water also. We were both so hungry that everything sounded good. I finally settled on:
Blackened Mahi Mahi Caesar - served atop romaine lettuce with creamy Caesar dressing $12.99
My husband went with something that is not on the AllEars menu that is currently posted. This is the closest thing to it:
Flame-Grilled Meatloaf - made with ground beef and Italian pork sausage, topped with rich, brown gravy, served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day $14.99
Although, what he actually ordered was an open-faced flame-grilled meatloaf sandwich that had peppers & onions and was served with garlic mashed potatoes. I believe it was about $12.
The waitress said "good choice" when he ordered it. I didn't get a "good choice".
Anyway, we ordered and the spinach dip arrived pretty quickly, which was a good thing, because we had started on the beer with empty stomachs. My first reaction to the dip was it was fairly flavorless. Certainly devoid of anything resembling jalapeno. Not a jalapeno in site, nor the flavoring of such. The cheese flavor was subtle. Too much flour, and not enough cheese. Something else was bothering me about it. What is this lump? A jalapeno, my husband suggested? Uh, no...it's a mushroom slice!
Yuck! I consider myself an adventuresome eater, but I confess that no matter how hard I want to like mushrooms, I don't like them!
Please don't put them in my dip without warning me first, because I would never have ordered it! I do think it might've been a mutant mushroom mistake though, as no other ones were spotted. Anyway, beware if you order it.. for many reasons really. It's just not that good, period. However, we were grateful that it kept us from total starvation. Soon, our meals arrived. My Blackened Mahi Mahi salad was good. Nothing thrilling. Decent. Okay. I took a bite of my husband's meatloaf and it was delicious! What a marvelous (and surprising) grilled flavor! (I know, "grilled" was in the name, but it was still a pleasant surprise). I snuck a bite of his potatoes also and they were very rich and buttery. So if you're looking for a heavy and rich meal, this was certainly one. Mine was lighter. The fish was good, the lettuce was cool and crispy and the dressing was good and creamy.
We were too full for dessert, which was a good thing, cause it meant we had room for dessert a little later as we were wandering, which led us to a new favorite!
Anyway, I reiterate that service here was truly excellent. However, the food was just good. I would eat there again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
Full, we walked around the Boardwalk. We peaked in Flying Fish, which made me want to come back and try it sometime, especially after the reviews and pictures here. However, we had enough of the Boardwalk. We still had some time to kill before my evening session, so I suggested we go back to Coronado Springs, park our car and take Disney transportation to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've been wanting to see the Lodge for years.
So, that's what we did. All I can say is, now I can see what all the raves are about. This place is beautiful! And what's not to love about a hotel that comes with its' own zoo!
Boma & Jiko both looked beautiful! I can't wait to one day try both of them. However, it was about 4:00 by now, and they weren't open. So we went to Mara, where I remembered to ask about...(drumroll please)...zebra domes! I told my husband, I've read that they're fabulous, and I've read that they're just okay. I've even read that some people didn't like them.
I just knew I needed to try them for myself, so we grabbed a container of them. You get five of them for just $3.69! We shared a Diet Coke for $2.39. With tax, our snack was just $6.47. Please put me in the LOVE THEM category of people. Now add my husband. They are so light and delicious...soft and creamy. YUM. I ate two and graciously let my husband have the extra one. We liked the tv in Mara with the old cartoons. One day, after we win the lottery, we will one day stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. (which reminds me, tonight's Powerball is 126 million). Perhaps we'll be back soon!tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
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That night, dinner was included in my evening's festivities, which meant my husband was on his own. Knowing his options were endless, off I went to the Children's Miracle Awards dinner in the ballroom. First, let me say that one problem with this Convention Center Hotel being so large is that when you have to dress up for events, you have a long walk in heels to get there and back! Owwwww. I saw some carrying their shoes and walking barefoot. Others, like me, just limped a lot.
Anyway, let's talk Convention food for a minute, huh? After the Red Carpet Reception where celebrities arrived one limo at a time and proceeded down the red carpet, we were seated at our assigned tables in the Coronado Ballroom, where a card at our places had the menu on it:
Tomato Florentine Bisque en Croute
Alder Wood Grilled Chicken with Citrus Butter
Parmesan Herb Baked Grouper
Yukon and Cheddar Whipped Potatoes
Herb and Balsamic Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Asparagus Tips
Medianoche Bread & Butter
Chocolate Mousse Dome
So, the dessert was already on the table looking delicious when we sat down. With fresh berries all around it. I really don't remember the bread as being anything special. I'm not sure what the fancy name meant.
They brought out the soup, which was FABULOUS. In small crocks was an incredible tomato soup. It was creamy and rich. Very flavorful. It had a phyllo dough topping over the whole crock. When you spooned into it, the dough would drop into the hot soup and partially dissolve. YUM. I would've been happy with just that. However, soon came the entree. I thought it was interesting that the dish had both chicken and fish. The two didn't really go together. The chicken was dry and a bit tough. The fish was quite fishy. The potatoes and vegetables were great. Service was rushed, and I made the mistake of taking too long with my entree. By the time the show started, service was over, which meant my plate stayed on the table through the rest of the LONG evening. Which meant wafts of strong fish smell. I really should've eaten faster and let them take it when they tried. Oh well, hindsight...
Anyway, the Chocolate Mousse Dome was really good, but having eaten two zebra domes a couple hours before, I didn't eat much of it. A crime really, but I was too full to be too ashamed.
The Awards Show was hours long. Some incredible doctors received awards. Arnold Palmer received a special award. Musical guests were Jon McLaughlin, Miss America, Simon Curtis, Collin Raye and Sing For Hope. It was an entertaining evening, and wonderful to be able to experience it!
After limping back to the room, I asked my husband what he had done with his evening. He had gone over to Downtown Disney to wander around. He said he has never seen it so busy. He thought it was bad two nights before on a Wednesday night, but now on a Friday night it was crazy! He said lines were wrapped around McDonalds. He wanted to eat at House of Blues, but even being one person, he couldn't get so much as a barstool. Anywhere. So he went back to the hotel and ate at Pepper Market. He had a Stir-Fry Beef for around $11.95. It had peppers, maybe broccoli (he can't remember). It was spicy and served over white rice. He ate it so fast, he doesn't remember a lot about it. He said it was okay, but he'd probably try something different next time. Especially considering it was already made and had been sitting there, so it wasn't freshly stir-fried.
Again, sorry for the lack of food pictures. I do have a good one from the next day's lunch at Kona Cafe though, and remember, I still have that hilarious celebrity-encounter one. It's definitely embarrassing!
Anyway, let's talk Convention food for a minute, huh? After the Red Carpet Reception where celebrities arrived one limo at a time and proceeded down the red carpet, we were seated at our assigned tables in the Coronado Ballroom, where a card at our places had the menu on it:
Tomato Florentine Bisque en Croute
Alder Wood Grilled Chicken with Citrus Butter
Parmesan Herb Baked Grouper
Yukon and Cheddar Whipped Potatoes
Herb and Balsamic Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Asparagus Tips
Medianoche Bread & Butter
Chocolate Mousse Dome
So, the dessert was already on the table looking delicious when we sat down. With fresh berries all around it. I really don't remember the bread as being anything special. I'm not sure what the fancy name meant.
They brought out the soup, which was FABULOUS. In small crocks was an incredible tomato soup. It was creamy and rich. Very flavorful. It had a phyllo dough topping over the whole crock. When you spooned into it, the dough would drop into the hot soup and partially dissolve. YUM. I would've been happy with just that. However, soon came the entree. I thought it was interesting that the dish had both chicken and fish. The two didn't really go together. The chicken was dry and a bit tough. The fish was quite fishy. The potatoes and vegetables were great. Service was rushed, and I made the mistake of taking too long with my entree. By the time the show started, service was over, which meant my plate stayed on the table through the rest of the LONG evening. Which meant wafts of strong fish smell. I really should've eaten faster and let them take it when they tried. Oh well, hindsight...
Anyway, the Chocolate Mousse Dome was really good, but having eaten two zebra domes a couple hours before, I didn't eat much of it. A crime really, but I was too full to be too ashamed.
The Awards Show was hours long. Some incredible doctors received awards. Arnold Palmer received a special award. Musical guests were Jon McLaughlin, Miss America, Simon Curtis, Collin Raye and Sing For Hope. It was an entertaining evening, and wonderful to be able to experience it!
After limping back to the room, I asked my husband what he had done with his evening. He had gone over to Downtown Disney to wander around. He said he has never seen it so busy. He thought it was bad two nights before on a Wednesday night, but now on a Friday night it was crazy! He said lines were wrapped around McDonalds. He wanted to eat at House of Blues, but even being one person, he couldn't get so much as a barstool. Anywhere. So he went back to the hotel and ate at Pepper Market. He had a Stir-Fry Beef for around $11.95. It had peppers, maybe broccoli (he can't remember). It was spicy and served over white rice. He ate it so fast, he doesn't remember a lot about it. He said it was okay, but he'd probably try something different next time. Especially considering it was already made and had been sitting there, so it wasn't freshly stir-fried.
Again, sorry for the lack of food pictures. I do have a good one from the next day's lunch at Kona Cafe though, and remember, I still have that hilarious celebrity-encounter one. It's definitely embarrassing!
SlightlyGoofy
<font color=green>I shall be forced to take you on
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- Messages
- 7,907
tweetylori. I generally cut and paste the person's name and then reply to whatever they said, being the lazy kind. I hardly ever wear shoes because I might have to make a dash for the last bowl of Butternut Squash Soup.
Of course there are some folks that I know well and do not have to cut and paste them. Hey there Bonz, old pal, old pal! When I heard that they had done away with the WGP at the Art Museum I thought maybe they were phasing out the restaurants. Do you mean to tell me that the new airport snagged MY WGP?
Slightly Goofy
Of course there are some folks that I know well and do not have to cut and paste them. Hey there Bonz, old pal, old pal! When I heard that they had done away with the WGP at the Art Museum I thought maybe they were phasing out the restaurants. Do you mean to tell me that the new airport snagged MY WGP?
Slightly Goofy
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
tweetylori. I generally cut and paste the person's name and then reply to whatever they said, being the lazy kind. I hardly ever wear shoes because I might have to make a dash for the last bowl of Butternut Squash Soup.
Of course there are some folks that I know well and do not have to cut and paste them. Hey there Bonz, old pal, old pal! When I heard that they had done away with the WGP at the Art Museum I thought maybe they were phasing out the restaurants. Do you mean to tell me that the new airport snagged MY WGP?
Slightly Goofy
I'm not sure I'm following you here, Slightly Goofy! Although I always understand Butternut Squash Soup loud and clear. If you're asking about WGP at RDU...all I know is it was in the plans for the new Terminal in 2007. However, it's not there now, and there's no mention of it anymore, so I assume we're screwed. Which is sad. I just have to travel more to get my soup.
Briarmom
Bessie Robindale<br><font color=b26b70>Larry's bee
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 13,857
Hey tweetylori! Just relaxing and enjoying some dining reviews on a lazy Sunday!
Anyway, to multiquote (the easy way) just click the button right next to the quote button. You see the one with " on it? Then click it for the next reply you want to quote and the next. It took me forever to learn that trick!
SlightlyGoofy
<font color=green>I shall be forced to take you on
- Joined
- May 5, 2001
- Messages
- 7,907
tweetylori, I was replying to Bonz's post that they had a WGP at the new Indy airport. Since she spends a lot of time there she will be able to deliver some soup to me.
Briarmom, would you please steer this 'old dog' to learn your new trick? I have used the quote thing and had to cut and paste but your way sounds better, however I cannot seem to find the " thing you are talking about. I am bad at finding my way anywhere.
SG
Briarmom, would you please steer this 'old dog' to learn your new trick? I have used the quote thing and had to cut and paste but your way sounds better, however I cannot seem to find the " thing you are talking about. I am bad at finding my way anywhere.
SG
Loving the reviews! We just got back from a week at the AKL on Friday! It was fabulous! My DD 5 loved seeing the animals every morning and afternoon, and so did we! It is definitely worth the $$ to stay there. We ate at the T-Rex our first night. I had the chicken sandwich, too. It was great. I could only eat half, though! Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews.
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
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- 772
Hey tweetylori! Just relaxing and enjoying some dining reviews on a lazy Sunday!
Anyway, to multiquote (the easy way) just click the button right next to the quote button. You see the one with " on it? Then click it for the next reply you want to quote and the next. It took me forever to learn that trick!
I appreciate the help. I wish I could say I'm following you on this, but I'm not.
sigh...thanks for trying with me!
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
Loving the reviews! We just got back from a week at the AKL on Friday! It was fabulous! My DD 5 loved seeing the animals every morning and afternoon, and so did we! It is definitely worth the $$ to stay there. We ate at the T-Rex our first night. I had the chicken sandwich, too. It was great. I could only eat half, though! Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews.
Staying a week in that beautiful resort had to be a dream come true...I'm so happy for you! It's not in my budget yet, but perhaps after I win the Pillsbury Bake-Off.
As for the sandwich, I probably should've eaten only half of it, but I had to have something to soak up the three glasses of Cabernet.
Briarmom
Bessie Robindale<br><font color=b26b70>Larry's bee
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
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- 13,857
tweetylori, I was replying to Bonz's post that they had a WGP at the new Indy airport. Since she spends a lot of time there she will be able to deliver some soup to me.
Briarmom, would you please steer this 'old dog' to learn your new trick? I have used the quote thing and had to cut and paste but your way sounds better, however I cannot seem to find the " thing you are talking about. I am bad at finding my way anywhere.
SG
I appreciate the help. I wish I could say I'm following you on this, but I'm not.
sigh...thanks for trying with me!
OK, see the QUOTE button at the lower right hand side of the posts? tweetylori, you used it to quote me. The button right next to it has a set of quotation marks and a plus in it. Click it (just like when you click quote) and it will turn orange. That means you've got that message quoted. Then you can go on to the next quote you want and do the same.
svalencia1
Mouseketeer
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- Aug 14, 2006
- Messages
- 385
Tweetylori- great reviews! I can't wait to see that celeb pic you mentioned! 
To multiquote just use the " buton on the bottom that is right next to the quote button. So on the bottom there are three buttons: 1 says quote, the middle has a paper and " on it, and the last has a pic of a paper and feather. So if you just push the middle button with the " symbol on it on all the posts you want to comment on they will be selected ( I think that button also highlights after youpush it). When you are done with this also push the quote button on the last post that you want to comment on as well and then they should all show up. Hope that helped.
To multiquote just use the " buton on the bottom that is right next to the quote button. So on the bottom there are three buttons: 1 says quote, the middle has a paper and " on it, and the last has a pic of a paper and feather. So if you just push the middle button with the " symbol on it on all the posts you want to comment on they will be selected ( I think that button also highlights after youpush it). When you are done with this also push the quote button on the last post that you want to comment on as well and then they should all show up. Hope that helped.tweetylori
DIS Veteran
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Okay, I'm settling in with a bag of "Chocolatears"(dark chocolate non pareils) that my husband had picked up for me at Downtown Disney that we brought home with us. Sadly, they are not Mickey shaped, but they are tasty. Even if they had melted in the car on the way home and stuck together. Guess it's really a good thing they weren't Mickey shaped or it might've been disturbing to see his head melted and stuck to other heads. Anyway, I can chew and type at the same time, so on with the report:
So, after the next morning's sessions at the Seminar, I had a few hours before the evening dinner and awards show. My husband & I were in agreement that it was time for Kona Cafe! We boarded the bus going to the Magic Kingdom, and there were two other people I recognized immediately sitting across from us. I had already told my husband about them, because their story is truly remarkable. At one of the evening sessions I had attended, on the big screens, they ran a 60-minutes program from Australia (I hadn't known they had 60 minutes in Australia before that)...anyway, they featured an incredible 12-year-old named Connor Maclean who is literally, one in a million to have all the associated complications of Vacterl syndrome. As a result, he has had over 40 operations that, "along with medicine and multiple daily medical procedures, are what keep him alive. He has dealt with problems associated with his vertebrae, spinal cord, food and windpipe, stomach, bowel, bladder, kidney, liver, hearing, and limbs. He also has Spina Bifida and Crohn's disease". In the feature, he lifted up his shirt and showed that he has not one, not two, but THREE ports! Yet, he also writes his own songs, and has made two albums already. 
He even designs t-shirts. Connor is the Champion from Sydney, and he and his incredible Mom were sitting right across from us on the bus to The Magic Kingdom. I had to say something to them. I had to tell them how touched and inspired I was by them, and honored to meet them. We had a truly Magical connection that we will never forget. 
Because I'm a bit short on food pictures, and this is food for the Soul, I will now share with you Connor and his Mom:
I asked Connor if he minded doing me a favor. With me, I had a flash microphone that I had brought to the Seminar in the hopes of running into celebrities to get them to read the phone numbers for the Radiothon we put on each year for our Children's Hospital. I asked Connor if he would mind doing it. His eyes lit up when he saw that microphone. So, when we got off the noisy bus, we stopped at a bench and he did just that for me:
He does have a website, which his name dot com, if you're interested in finding out more about this incredible kid. Anyway, off they went to be guests at a parade in the Magic Kingdom, and we went on our hungry way to The Kona Cafe, although for a short time, we had actually forgotten we were hungry.
By the way, neither of these is the funny celebrity-encounter picture I have promised you. I'm saving that for last...for anyone who actually makes it to the end of this long report.
Fortunately for us, Kona Cafe was not packed. We did our usual "we don't have reservations, but might you have room for two" speech. They said yes, but what's your name? And go over there to wait. Okay. There did not seem to be a reason for us to wait, other than that's the way it works there, because the table they sat us at was already cleaned and empty, the hostess was right there. Waiting for a couple minutes must've just been part of the process.
Okay, we can do that, but the food better be as good as we remembered from our one other time there!
Of course, we got the Dessert Tour first. Which reminded us of our trip from a few years before where we had two of our sons with us. There were four of us, and despite being full from lunch that day, we managed to eat FIVE desserts. We ordered four, but the Chef thought we needed to try five of them. And do you know, we ate every bite of every one. We still laugh about our dessert feast.
Despite the killer desserts, I did have a regret from that meal that had lingered despite the years. That regret was that I had not tried their Sticky Wings. I have drooled over many pictures of those Sticky Wings here on the Dis, but I had also seen other pics of Kona Cafe food that looked great also. I remembered coveting a kid's burger that trip. I had actually been disappointed in the noodle bowl I had ordered, so I knew I wasn't going down that route again. The fish and/or pork tacos were calling out to me. I hinted at sharing a couple things with my husband, but I knew this wasn't going to work, because my husband has only one flaw. It's a big flaw, though. Are you ready for this? He doesn't like anything on bones! This one flaw does bother me on occasion, as I was brought up knowing that all meat is better on a bone! Gnawing on a chicken wing or baby-back rib is a true joy. The messier the better. Right? Anyone else with me on this?
Okay, it didn't matter how hard I hinted, nor if I asked right-out, he wasn't going to share those Sticky Wings with me, so it was all or nothing. The menu now calls them: Sticky Wings for Two for $12.99. So, I had to decide if I was enough of a glutton to order something meant for two, for just little ole me.
(I know you know better, you've seen pictures of me). So, I might as well go for it, ya know? I could not live with more years of regret. I needed a massive pile of sticky bones!
My husband, of course, chose a boneless option:
Kona Club Sandwich - shaved turkey breast with tomato, avocado, turkey bacon, watercress, and sweet chili mayonnaise on multigrain bread, served with Asian Vegetable Slaw or house-made potato chips $11.49
Tea for me, and Diet Coke for him, and we had our order in. That's when the Big Wait began. We watched a couple come in, get seated next to us. We watched them order two waters, and the Kona Club Sandwich. We watched them get the sandwich. We watched them cut the sandwich, and share the sandwich. We drooled. We concentrated on not passing out from starvation. My husband kept muttering: "It must be the wings, it must be the wings" And I kept defending them: "But they're on the APPETIZER part of the menu...that means they should be able to do them quickly!" But, inside I did start to feel guilty, because I couldn't deny that the other couple got THEIR Kona Club sandwich alright.
At least 25 minutes went by. We had now eaten our napkins, and were about to start on the plastic straws, when finally! Out came the most glorious plateful of Sticky Wings with Tangy Mustard Drizzle and Toasted Sesame Seeds, that all was instantly forgiven. There was no way I could wait another second to take pictures. No way, sorry!
These were every bit as good as I imagined. Sticky messy, wonderful gnawing! And it came with enough spring greens to make it feel like there was a healthy salad with it.
My husband liked his Club sandwich just fine, but there's no way it could've been as good as those wings! Actually, until a couple of those wings were inhaled, I didn't even notice he had a sandwich.
There were 12 wing pieces, so 6 actual wings. I ate 8 of those pieces, and asked for a box for the rest. What are you going to do with those? my husband asked. Uh, put them in the fridge in the room and eat them. When? I don't know, but I'm not wasting them! Besides, I have to save room for dessert! He then asked, do you know which dessert you want? Uh, yes! I knew as soon as I saw it sitting over there on the dessert tour on the way in. I needed this:
Banana-Chocolate Creme Brulee - with a chocolate spiral $5.99
And since it was boneless, he agreed to share it with me. We settled in, expecting another half hour wait, but lo & behold, it took mere minutes for this glorious creation to come to our table:
This was Creme Brulee perfection, although I would argue that it's not actually Banana Creme Brulee. It IS Chocolate-Bottomed Vanilla Creme Brulee with a Bruleed Banana. In other words, there is no banana flavor in the actual brulee. But truly, they can call it whatever they want, as long as it tastes that good.
Creamy, with just the right amount of crunch to the sugar topping!
So, even though we waited forever, gratefully, it was worth the wait. Looking at the receipt, it has a time of 3:31pm on it. I know we got there before 2:00. Fortunately, we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere else. Speaking of the receipt, our total before tip was $37.12. Not bad by Disney standards, especially considering I was walking out of there with tomorrow's breakfast.
Guess it's really a good thing they weren't Mickey shaped or it might've been disturbing to see his head melted and stuck to other heads. Anyway, I can chew and type at the same time, so on with the report:So, after the next morning's sessions at the Seminar, I had a few hours before the evening dinner and awards show. My husband & I were in agreement that it was time for Kona Cafe!
We boarded the bus going to the Magic Kingdom, and there were two other people I recognized immediately sitting across from us. I had already told my husband about them, because their story is truly remarkable. At one of the evening sessions I had attended, on the big screens, they ran a 60-minutes program from Australia (I hadn't known they had 60 minutes in Australia before that)...anyway, they featured an incredible 12-year-old named Connor Maclean who is literally, one in a million to have all the associated complications of Vacterl syndrome. As a result, he has had over 40 operations that, "along with medicine and multiple daily medical procedures, are what keep him alive. He has dealt with problems associated with his vertebrae, spinal cord, food and windpipe, stomach, bowel, bladder, kidney, liver, hearing, and limbs. He also has Spina Bifida and Crohn's disease". In the feature, he lifted up his shirt and showed that he has not one, not two, but THREE ports! Yet, he also writes his own songs, and has made two albums already. He even designs t-shirts. Connor is the Champion from Sydney, and he and his incredible Mom were sitting right across from us on the bus to The Magic Kingdom. I had to say something to them. I had to tell them how touched and inspired I was by them, and honored to meet them. We had a truly Magical connection that we will never forget. Because I'm a bit short on food pictures, and this is food for the Soul, I will now share with you Connor and his Mom:
I asked Connor if he minded doing me a favor. With me, I had a flash microphone that I had brought to the Seminar in the hopes of running into celebrities to get them to read the phone numbers for the Radiothon we put on each year for our Children's Hospital. I asked Connor if he would mind doing it. His eyes lit up when he saw that microphone. So, when we got off the noisy bus, we stopped at a bench and he did just that for me:
He does have a website, which his name dot com, if you're interested in finding out more about this incredible kid. Anyway, off they went to be guests at a parade in the Magic Kingdom, and we went on our hungry way to The Kona Cafe, although for a short time, we had actually forgotten we were hungry.
By the way, neither of these is the funny celebrity-encounter picture I have promised you. I'm saving that for last...for anyone who actually makes it to the end of this long report.
Fortunately for us, Kona Cafe was not packed. We did our usual "we don't have reservations, but might you have room for two" speech. They said yes, but what's your name? And go over there to wait. Okay. There did not seem to be a reason for us to wait, other than that's the way it works there, because the table they sat us at was already cleaned and empty, the hostess was right there. Waiting for a couple minutes must've just been part of the process.
Okay, we can do that, but the food better be as good as we remembered from our one other time there! Of course, we got the Dessert Tour first.
Which reminded us of our trip from a few years before where we had two of our sons with us. There were four of us, and despite being full from lunch that day, we managed to eat FIVE desserts. We ordered four, but the Chef thought we needed to try five of them. And do you know, we ate every bite of every one. We still laugh about our dessert feast. Despite the killer desserts, I did have a regret from that meal that had lingered despite the years. That regret was that I had not tried their Sticky Wings.
I have drooled over many pictures of those Sticky Wings here on the Dis, but I had also seen other pics of Kona Cafe food that looked great also. I remembered coveting a kid's burger that trip. I had actually been disappointed in the noodle bowl I had ordered, so I knew I wasn't going down that route again. The fish and/or pork tacos were calling out to me. I hinted at sharing a couple things with my husband, but I knew this wasn't going to work, because my husband has only one flaw. It's a big flaw, though. Are you ready for this? He doesn't like anything on bones! This one flaw does bother me on occasion, as I was brought up knowing that all meat is better on a bone! Gnawing on a chicken wing or baby-back rib is a true joy. The messier the better. Right? Anyone else with me on this?Okay, it didn't matter how hard I hinted, nor if I asked right-out, he wasn't going to share those Sticky Wings with me, so it was all or nothing. The menu now calls them: Sticky Wings for Two for $12.99. So, I had to decide if I was enough of a glutton to order something meant for two, for just little ole me.
(I know you know better, you've seen pictures of me). So, I might as well go for it, ya know? I could not live with more years of regret. I needed a massive pile of sticky bones!My husband, of course, chose a boneless option:
Kona Club Sandwich - shaved turkey breast with tomato, avocado, turkey bacon, watercress, and sweet chili mayonnaise on multigrain bread, served with Asian Vegetable Slaw or house-made potato chips $11.49
Tea for me, and Diet Coke for him, and we had our order in. That's when the Big Wait began. We watched a couple come in, get seated next to us. We watched them order two waters, and the Kona Club Sandwich. We watched them get the sandwich. We watched them cut the sandwich, and share the sandwich. We drooled. We concentrated on not passing out from starvation.
My husband kept muttering: "It must be the wings, it must be the wings" And I kept defending them: "But they're on the APPETIZER part of the menu...that means they should be able to do them quickly!" But, inside I did start to feel guilty, because I couldn't deny that the other couple got THEIR Kona Club sandwich alright. At least 25 minutes went by. We had now eaten our napkins, and were about to start on the plastic straws, when finally! Out came the most glorious plateful of Sticky Wings with Tangy Mustard Drizzle and Toasted Sesame Seeds, that all was instantly forgiven.
There was no way I could wait another second to take pictures. No way, sorry! These were every bit as good as I imagined. Sticky messy, wonderful gnawing! And it came with enough spring greens to make it feel like there was a healthy salad with it.
My husband liked his Club sandwich just fine, but there's no way it could've been as good as those wings! Actually, until a couple of those wings were inhaled, I didn't even notice he had a sandwich.
There were 12 wing pieces, so 6 actual wings. I ate 8 of those pieces, and asked for a box for the rest. What are you going to do with those? my husband asked. Uh, put them in the fridge in the room and eat them. When? I don't know, but I'm not wasting them! Besides, I have to save room for dessert! He then asked, do you know which dessert you want? Uh, yes! I knew as soon as I saw it sitting over there on the dessert tour on the way in. I needed this:
Banana-Chocolate Creme Brulee - with a chocolate spiral $5.99
And since it was boneless, he agreed to share it with me. We settled in, expecting another half hour wait, but lo & behold, it took mere minutes for this glorious creation to come to our table:
This was Creme Brulee perfection, although I would argue that it's not actually Banana Creme Brulee. It IS Chocolate-Bottomed Vanilla Creme Brulee with a Bruleed Banana. In other words, there is no banana flavor in the actual brulee. But truly, they can call it whatever they want, as long as it tastes that good.
Creamy, with just the right amount of crunch to the sugar topping!So, even though we waited forever, gratefully, it was worth the wait. Looking at the receipt, it has a time of 3:31pm on it. I know we got there before 2:00. Fortunately, we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere else. Speaking of the receipt, our total before tip was $37.12. Not bad by Disney standards, especially considering I was walking out of there with tomorrow's breakfast.
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
Tweetylori- great reviews! I can't wait to see that celeb pic you mentioned!
Okay, this is starting to make sense. Perhaps if enough of you try to guide me, I can actually figure this out?
Thank you very much for reading and for helping me out. And, I assure you, the funny celeb picture will be worth the wait. Sigh...I do now see the quotation button, which I pushed to quote this. But I don't see how I select the next quote.
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
So, by the time we got out of our Kona Cafe lunch, it was almost time for dinner already ...the last dinner of my seminar, which meant my husband was on his own to scrounge for food. 
Again,my dinner was in the Coronado Ballroom. The evening was the "Miracles in Media" awards. Time to find out if we had won anything! We had won awards from this several times in the past, but I never had the privilege of attending the event to pick up an award. How cool would that be?
Attire for the evening: "Dukes of Hazzard Chic". I kid you not...that was the only directive given. Uh, surely they don't mean Daisy Dukes? Cause this ole' gal hasn't worn anything like that since middle school hot-pants days. (I'm aware I just aged myself, but considering the pictures I've already posted, it's all out there anyway). I thought they could've been much more specific for us radio folks. There IS a reason most of us are in radio, and not television. Some of us are, quite frankly, not known for our fashion abilities. Oh well, I picked something, wore it, and hoped for the best.
Tonight's dinner and event was once again in the Coronado Ballroom, with a buffet set up. We're talking chicken & barbecue,vegetable lasagna, fresh green beans, salad & a baked potato bar. Score for me! For some reason, I'd been wanting a baked potato. I picked one out of the tray with the tongs, saw that it was scored, squeezed it open, and proceeded to add some cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, lots of chives...I was pretty intent on my artistry when I heard: "How did you get your potato open?" Followed by (different voice): "Yeah, how did you do that?" I realized that the person across from me in the buffet line, as well as the person behind me, were both talking to me. They were waiting, with baited breathe for the answer. I saw they each had an unopened potato on their plate and were wondering how to add all the toppings. This was my moment to divulge my profound secret, so I obliged, glad to finally be able to share some of my extensive food wisdom: "Uh, I squeezed it open". I answered. "You know...with my hand here..." Oh, wow, thanks! was the reply I got. PHEW! I was a hero to two people that night. I'm so glad I could be of service.
I confess to being nervous and excited this evening, wanting so much to bring home an award, to help justify me being there. That, and being still full from Kona Cafe meant I really didn't eat much. But some nice Chardonnay helped.
Everyone seemed to really be enjoying the food. The folks in my group liked it better than the evening before. There was ice cream for dessert, for those who had not enjoyed a chocolate-banana creme brulee for lunch.
Meanwhile, my husband went to Pepper Market for a burger and fries. Which he said were okay. The burger had been cooked and was just sitting around, which made it a bit less than ideal. He did say that both nights he ate there alone, he had some very attentive service by an older gentleman.
Again, no food pics, I'm afraid, but I do have a few celeb shots from this dinner event. (no, not the funny one yet, but we're getting close!)
For Dukes of Hazzards fans, way up on stage you will see John Schneider (Bo Duke) and Rosco (Jim Best):
Miss America, Katie Stam with Rosco:
And yes, the General Lee was there as well, however my picture of us with that really doesn't show much of anything, so I'll spare you.
My conclusion of Disney Convention Dining is that it's really quite good! If you're going to attend a convention at Coronado Springs, I think it's safe to say you will enjoy some really good things, and some oh-just-okay things. Certainly better than other places I've attended conventions, overall.
For those one or two of you wondering if we won an award that night, we did not. Although we did get nominated for one. That in itself was a bit of an honor, and really none of us do what we do for the awards. We really do it for the kids. Only a couple of which you heard about here.
So, is it time for the funny picture? Not quite...just because the seminar is over, doesn't mean our Florida adventure is. Although we're close...
...the last dinner of my seminar, which meant my husband was on his own to scrounge for food. Again,my dinner was in the Coronado Ballroom. The evening was the "Miracles in Media" awards. Time to find out if we had won anything! We had won awards from this several times in the past, but I never had the privilege of attending the event to pick up an award. How cool would that be?
Attire for the evening: "Dukes of Hazzard Chic". I kid you not...that was the only directive given. Uh, surely they don't mean Daisy Dukes? Cause this ole' gal hasn't worn anything like that since middle school hot-pants days.
(I'm aware I just aged myself, but considering the pictures I've already posted, it's all out there anyway). I thought they could've been much more specific for us radio folks. There IS a reason most of us are in radio, and not television. Some of us are, quite frankly, not known for our fashion abilities. Oh well, I picked something, wore it, and hoped for the best. Tonight's dinner and event was once again in the Coronado Ballroom, with a buffet set up. We're talking chicken & barbecue,vegetable lasagna, fresh green beans, salad & a baked potato bar. Score for me! For some reason, I'd been wanting a baked potato. I picked one out of the tray with the tongs, saw that it was scored, squeezed it open, and proceeded to add some cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, lots of chives...I was pretty intent on my artistry when I heard: "How did you get your potato open?" Followed by (different voice): "Yeah, how did you do that?" I realized that the person across from me in the buffet line, as well as the person behind me, were both talking to me. They were waiting, with baited breathe for the answer. I saw they each had an unopened potato on their plate and were wondering how to add all the toppings. This was my moment to divulge my profound secret, so I obliged, glad to finally be able to share some of my extensive food wisdom: "Uh, I squeezed it open". I answered. "You know...with my hand here..." Oh, wow, thanks! was the reply I got. PHEW! I was a hero to two people that night. I'm so glad I could be of service.
I confess to being nervous and excited this evening, wanting so much to bring home an award, to help justify me being there. That, and being still full from Kona Cafe meant I really didn't eat much. But some nice Chardonnay helped.
Everyone seemed to really be enjoying the food. The folks in my group liked it better than the evening before. There was ice cream for dessert, for those who had not enjoyed a chocolate-banana creme brulee for lunch.
Meanwhile, my husband went to Pepper Market for a burger and fries. Which he said were okay. The burger had been cooked and was just sitting around, which made it a bit less than ideal. He did say that both nights he ate there alone, he had some very attentive service by an older gentleman.
Again, no food pics, I'm afraid, but I do have a few celeb shots from this dinner event. (no, not the funny one yet, but we're getting close!)
For Dukes of Hazzards fans, way up on stage you will see John Schneider (Bo Duke) and Rosco (Jim Best):
Miss America, Katie Stam with Rosco:
And yes, the General Lee was there as well, however my picture of us with that really doesn't show much of anything, so I'll spare you.
My conclusion of Disney Convention Dining is that it's really quite good! If you're going to attend a convention at Coronado Springs, I think it's safe to say you will enjoy some really good things, and some oh-just-okay things. Certainly better than other places I've attended conventions, overall.
For those one or two of you wondering if we won an award that night, we did not.
Although we did get nominated for one. That in itself was a bit of an honor, and really none of us do what we do for the awards. We really do it for the kids. Only a couple of which you heard about here. So, is it time for the funny picture? Not quite...just because the seminar is over, doesn't mean our Florida adventure is. Although we're close...
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
I guess maybe you can see a bit of the General Lee in this pic:
And there was also a beautiful and very talented Hispanic singer that night, Olga Tanon:
And there was also a beautiful and very talented Hispanic singer that night, Olga Tanon:
tweetylori
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 772
By the way, I realize this is a "totally different" food report than what you are all used to. I apologize if I've ticked anyone off. And for those of you that have supported it...thank you! I truly admire all of the "normal" Disney food reports that involve Disney Dining all over. One of these days (see lottery ticket), I too, will post one like that.
TigerKat
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2006
- Messages
- 39,771
I don't think anyone is ticked off, they were warned by your thread title!
I am LOVING your reviews, keep up the great writing!
Briarmom
Bessie Robindale<br><font color=b26b70>Larry's bee
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 13,857
Okay, this is starting to make sense. Perhaps if enough of you try to guide me, I can actually figure this out?
Sigh...I do now see the quotation button, which I pushed to quote this. But I don't see how I select the next quote.
Go to the next post you want to quote an push it on that post and the next and the next.
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Why I Won't Participate in Fish Extender Exchange on My Next Disney Cruise
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The Hall of Presidents NOW OPEN in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
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Renting DVC Points Made Easy: Your Guide to the DVC Rental Store Experience
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New Pulled Pork Hand Pies at The Edison in Disney Springs
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